Kam Bids Farewell

It feels like just yesterday I was a freshman sitting in the Cardinal Lounge for the first time looking at the unfamiliar faces that would soon become a bigger part of my life than I could ever have expected. It is hard for me to say that this will be the last year that I will be sitting in a room full of great kids at Saint Mary’s that I will be able to bond with through the sport I love so much. Soccer has been a huge part of my life and a huge part of my collegiate experience at Saint Mary’s and has allowed me to develop many relationships that I will forever cherish.

Ever since I was introduced to soccer in second grade, the soccer ball has never left my side. The people who know this best are my parents. There have been many broken screens, windows, and dishes because of my unwillingness to walk around the house without a soccer ball at my feet. My parents didn’t punish me … too much … for most of these “rare” occurrences, because they understand the passion I have for soccer. They have spent more hours and money towards my soccer than I could ever repay them for. My dad has traveled with me all across the country and world, from Florida to California and all the way to Brazil, for soccer. He is the one person I respect more than anyone when it comes to soccer ,because we have been through everything together. I am very proud to have my father as my number one fan. Although he is over 1,000 miles away, he always finds a way to text or call me before every game to give me a pep talk on what to focus on during my game. Whenever he is not able to make it to my games, he is constantly trying to find live feeds and live stats so that he can keep track of how I am doing. Through the lowest points of my soccer career he has always been there to build me back up and let me know that I can do it. He is supportive through every decision I make and always wants the best for me. Whenever my dad is frustrated because the video streams for my games aren’t working, which up until this year has been pretty often, my mom is there to cool him down while I am on the phone with him after my games. My mom has provided me with an equally as important part of support throughout my college career at Saint Mary’s. She provides a balance in support between soccer and my future that I appreciate more than I can describe. There is no better feeling than knowing that whatever I choose to do, my mom wants me to do whatever is going to make me happy. I cannot thank you enough for the support both of you have provided me with for the past 21 years and will continue to provide me with. I love you so much mom and dad!

The hardest part about coming all the way up to Winona, Minn., for soccer from Georgia was leaving behind my brothers – Kyle, Conner, and Chandler. They’re the ones who have had to deal with the loud crashing noises of me kicking the ball against every wall and door of the house over the years. Although they have not been able to make it up to many of my college games the past few years because of school, every game they have gone to of mine has meant so much to me. They are the first to send me videos of Messi or any other great soccer videos they come across because they know how constantly obsessed I am. You guys will always be my best friends and I love you!

The relationships I developed on this team began with the players that were a part of this team the first day I stepped foot on the Saint Mary’s campus. For the players who have already graduated, all of you have taught me lessons and provided guidance for me on and off the field and I cannot thank you enough for how you have affected my life. Bryan Neu: From my recruit visit until now you have played a crucial role in my experience at Saint Mary’s. There is a good chance that if I had not met you the night of my recruit visit I might not have been able to experience the great experiences I have had with this team and you over the past four years. Although it is rather jealous of me, I am happy that you had to attend a second semester and were able to be a part of a great year with this soccer program. Jua: You served as a role model for me throughout the years I shared with you at Saint Mary’s because it was so easy for me to see that you share the same passion I have for soccer. I am so happy that you have turned your passion for soccer into a job in Portland and I hope to make it out there as soon as I can to visit. Miss yah man! Bobby Gas: We went through a lot throughout our time together at Saint Mary’s. I pretty much lived in your dorm in Joes my freshman year and you took me to your house in Chicago when I wasn’t able to make it home to Georgia during breaks. You made my transition into Saint Mary’s as easy as possible and the times we shared together will always be a part of my cherished college experiences!
Of the remaining seniors on the team, I am proud to say that you all have become such an important part of my life. Bina: we have been roommates twice now and I’m kind of disappointed that your graduating a semester early because I know based on the times we have shared together up until now that you will be missed and things won’t be the same. After living with you for almost three semesters and knowing you for the past four years you have exemplified to me what it means to be a student-athlete. I was so happy that you were given the role of captain this year because not only did you deserve it for the work you put towards the team on and off the field, but you really do exemplify it. I wish you the best of luck with everything after you graduate in December and I’m sure I’ll see you back in Winona at least once second semester! Puff: You and I were the surprise speedsters with matching orange cleats at outside back last year! Our relationship over the past four years has grown stronger with each year and I’m sad that this will be our last year together on the team. You still have to teach me how to play tennis so that when I’m too old to run the full soccer field length I can resort to the tennis court. Lusch: you will forever be remembered as the Great White! You and Meyer were able to bring the familiar yelling I hear back home from my brothers to the house last year with all the Leaguing sessions! Aside from the inside jokes it has been great to share the past four years with you and be able to live with you last year. I hope that you will be able to use your passion for art in your marketing career after school! Gunnar: I remember preseason our freshman year and being paired up running the Creighton test and telling you it’d be better to run the sprints on the track and sure enough shortly after while you were running one of the final laps on the track you sprained your knee. It’s really hard for me to see such a great player like you to have to start and end your career at Saint Mary’s with knee injuries. But if you have proved anything over the past four years I’ve spent with you is that you don’t give up and you work hard for the things you care for. Your one of the best defenders I have had the chance to play with and if I had to choose anyone to play alongside at Saint Mary’s you would be at the top of my list by far.

To the player’s I didn’t get the chance to spend all of my years with, I would do anything to have more time to share and watch this program grow. Highlighter: your one of the craziest kids I know on and off the field. I would love to see a picture of your hairstyle after every semester and see how many times it has changed over the past three years! Aside from your crazy side though, you are also one of the hardest workers I know. I don’t even know how many different jobs you worked this summer so that you could afford to live off campus, but I think it’s safe to say based on the white paint that’s constantly splattered on your arms that painting is one of them. Your work ethic transfers to the soccer field and you were able to work your way up to a position I knew I would see you at. Graber: your one of the most talented players we have had on our team the past four years when the ball is at your feet. If you focus on the areas of your game that you aren’t as comfortable with you will take this team far in the next two years. Van Dam: Slooooooth! I will never forget the night the sloth was invented. You are a great goalie and are always willing to sacrifice your body for the team. Your one of the toughest players I have ever played with, constantly taking shots and always getting back up and fighting on. To the rest of the players I didn’t mention you all have made my being part of this program that much more special. You all have bright futures ahead of you and I have cherished the short time we have spent together.

These past years with the Saint Mary’s soccer team have been some of the best years of my life. I will carry the knowledge and relationships I have gained through this program with me for the rest of my life and I am forever thankful for everyone who has given me the opportunity to be standing where I am today. I am proud to have been a part of the start of a new standard for Saint Mary’s soccer and am excited to watch this program develop in the coming years!